DECADENTCHOCOLATE​THUMBPRINTS

I love making Thumbprint Cookies. You can just do so many different toppings all with one dough. If you have a great cookie base....you can go to town on top. So today I did three different kinds. I will start out with the recipe for the cookie and then show you what I topped mine with. But make it your own....you can create your own according to your taste. But...please....share!!! We all love new ideas, so post a picture of the cookies you created to my page!! Have fun!!!! I actually had tons of fun today because I got so much help from my little Granddaughter Hattie and my Grandson Joey!!! They love being in the kitchen with me...it's usually the first question every time they walk in the door. Hattie says..."Nana, can we cook?" I usually cannot resist. She is my little Chef in training. Joey???? I think he's just in it for the food...haha. Love these guys sooo much!!!

Begin by sifting together the flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. Hattie did such a good job getting it all into the bowl and mixing it up.......

​Now, in a stand up mixer or a large bowl using a hand mixer, cream the sugar and 2 sticks of butter..... Joey got into the action on this step.......

​Look at these faces.....irresistable!!! So now get the eggs in, one at a time and mix well. Then you can add the vanilla also.

Put the chocolate chips in a small bowl and microwave to melt. Put it in for 30 seconds at a time. Be sure to watch closely not to burn it. The add the 2 tablespoons of butter in. Stir until melted and all mixed together.....

Now add it to the bowl and mix well....

Last, add the flour mixture in small additions....

Roll into small balls, about 1 inch. Lay on a parchment lined baking tray and bake approximately 12 to 14 minutes.

​Give them only about 2 minutes to cool when they come out of the oven and then give them a.....thumbprint!!!!

Now here's what I did...

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER TOPPED WITH CRUSHED PRETZELS AND DRIZZLED WITH MORE CHOCOLATE!!!!!

Melt 1/2 cup of peanut butter for just a few seconds in the microwave and pour a bit on top of each cookie.....

​Top with a generous drizzle of more melted dark chocolate morsels as well as some crushed pretzels!!!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MINT WITH CRUSHED PEPPERMINT CANDIES

Unwrap a box on Andes after dinner mints. Melt them in the microwave. Add in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and mix well. This will thicken the chocolate to a fudgy texture. Using a teaspoon, fill each hole and totally cover the top of each cookie.....

Now just top each one with some crushed peppermint candies....

And finally......

DARK CHOCOLATE CARMEL WITH SEA SALT

Unwrap a package of carmels and melt in a bowl in the microwave..... Add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. This will give it a softer texture so the carmel is not so hard when it sets.....

Top each cookie.......

Drizzle all with some more melted dark chocolate......

Top each with a tiny bit of Flaked Sea Salt.....yummmm!!!!

OK....we did alot today. But, I wanted to show you a few different ways to use the same dough. It is great when you can make so many varieties out of the same base. It will give your cookie platters such variety. And there will definitely be something for everyone. I seriously can't decide which one is my favorite. They are all awesome!!!!! Thank you Hattie and Joey for all the help!!!! I love my babies!!